Mind Over Metal Camp Comes to Camosun College

MIND OVER METAL CAMP COMES TO CAMOSUN COLLEGE THANKS TO FUNDING FROM DENNIS & PHYLLIS WASHINGTON FOUNDATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEASPAN

Victoria, B.C.- Aug. 13, 2018- The Canadian welding industry has many great career opportunities ranging from welder, welding inspector, welding researcher and even a welding engineer. To introduce students from ages 12-15 to the trade, in partnership with CWB Welding Foundation, the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Seaspan will be funding a welding summer camp at Camosun College in Victoria B.C., August 13-17, 2018. This camp is free for attendees and is funded by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Seaspan.

"Camosun College and the South Island Partnership are very excited to host this year's CWB Welding Foundation Mind over Metal summer camp, and we appreciate the support that the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and Seaspan are providing for our youth," said Nicola Priestley, director, South Island Partnership. "The trades facility on Camosun's Interurban campus will be an inspiring venue for our students to engage in hands-on activities, work alongside college and industry professionals, and explore the wonderful world of welding!"

Welding safety, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), introduction to weld symbols, and a brief overview of the impact welding has on our daily lives will be part of the camp.

Once the theoretical portion is completed, the students will have fun with real arcs and sparks while they create their very own projects like cow bells, and a metal rose.

"These camps are specifically designed to provide youth with a hands-on introduction to welding and inspire them to pursue a career in welding. They are also making lasting memories and building confidence while being supervised by professionals in a safe environment," said Deborah Mates, executive director, CWB Welding Foundation.

The CWB Welding Foundation hosted its first pilot welding camp in the summer of 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta and is now organizing over 80 camps across Canada for the months of June, July, and August. Fifty-six are funded by CWB Welding Foundation, 18 funded by LNG Canada, one funded by Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Seaspan, and nine funded by TransCanada.

The CWB Welding Foundation is a National registered charity that supports the Canadian welding industry by increasing public safety awareness in welding and addressing the welding skilled trade shortage and mismatch in Canada. Through education-based programs and initiatives, we continue to reduce barriers that affect key groups; elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and educators, Indigenous, women, at-risk youth, disabled, and the disadvantaged. We envision a future where all individuals are encouraged and provided the support needed to reach their true potential in a career in welding regardless of identity factors, social and financial status, and lived experiences including gender, age, ethnicity, language, literacy, culture, income, and geographical location.

About Seaspan Shipyards: With operations in North Vancouver and Victoria, Seaspan Shipyards is a leader in Canada’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated workforce, the company has proven itself to be a reliable partner on a range of complex projects for both government and the private sector.

Seaspan Shipyards is proud to be Canada’s chosen non-combat shipbuilder under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). In this capacity, the company is building state-of-the-art ships in Canada for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. Through its NSS-related work, Seaspan Shipyards is creating jobs, generating economic benefits and rebuilding Canada’s shipbuilding and marine industries.

Related Programs

Elementary

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The CWB Welding Foundation will seek ways to engage students at the Elementary School level in the opportunities that exist in the welding industry. This will ensure that elementary school students are exposed to these opportunities prior to course selection for high school, which typically is the first opportunity students have for hands-on welding instruction.

Open Doors

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Women in Trades
Finding ways to engage and encourage women to consider a career in the trades is growing in popularity at educational institutions all across Canada. The Foundation will seek to support women in welding trades programs.

At-Risk Youth
The CWB Welding Foundation will seek opportunities to support at-risk youth through programs that will help to build confidence, teach new skills, and ultimately provide hope and direction.

Indigenous
The CWB Welding Foundation will seek opportunities to support Indigenous groups through our programs and awards.